Theatrical studio teaches the magic of make-up

A THEATRICAL make-up studio started two years ago by a former minibus driver has expanded and held its first open evening.

A THEATRICAL make-up studio started two years ago by a former minibus driver has expanded and held its first open evening.

Pauline Aitkin, 47, set up the workshop for budding make-up artists aged 14 to19 at the same time production of Casualty and Doctor Who was moving to Cardiff.

Now she has scores of students creating the illusion of cuts, bruises and gore just right.

Pauline started as a minibus driver, taking students to after-school courses before deciding she wanted to work with youngsters full-time herself.

Qualified hairdresser Pauline enrolled on a council youth work course before signing up for a two-year diploma in theatrical and media make-up at Crosskeys College. In 2009 she renovated a unit on Heron Road, Rumney, to offer youngsters the chance to work towards BTEC level two qualifications.

She now has more than 80 students enrolled on the level two programme and has expanded her facilities to accommodate more as she recently begun offering youngsters the chance to progress to level three.

Pauline, 47, from Cardiff, said: “I now deliver level three in the larger premises upstairs. I work with all the high schools across Cardiff and I have now moved into Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf.”

The larger premises now includes two further customised make-up rooms and a canteen area.

Pauline is helped out in the workshop by daughter Angharad and niece Alison Forsey, who tutor students on how to create different types of special effects.

The workshop recently held its first open evening.

“The open evening was also something of a celebration of how I had expanded,” said Pauline, who is supported by the Sector Skills Council and the Cardiff 14–19 network.

Pauline also runs adult evening classes and would like to work with amateur dramatic societies.

Anyone interested should contact her on 07795 613 435 or email aitkin78@btinternet.com

Recently Published

Councillor Neil McEvoy (“Cuts should be made from the rich at the top, not the poor at the bottom”, You Say, November 9) invited the Cardiff Trades Council to publicly applaud Cardiff council’s approach to job evaluation.

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.